Grace can be a difficult concept for humans to grasp. How can the God of all creation offer us something that we didn’t earn? How can faith alone qualify us for God’s amazing grace, favor and forgiveness? Surely we must prove ourselves through our deeds, right? The better we are, the more deserving we become, right? Wrong. It is by grace, through faith that we have been saved. But even if we know this to be true in our minds, do we really know it in our hearts? There were some in Paul’s day who, I believe, struggled with this concept as well. Some wanted to prove their worth by their deeds - or by their obedience to the law. They wanted to show their faithfulness through the physical act of circumcision. But in Galatians, chapter 5, verse 6, Paul says this:
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
“Faith expressing itself through love”. That is what counts. What makes a difference in the kingdom of God isn’t legalism, but faith expressing itself through love. We can read as many chapters in the Bible as we want and commit all of it to memory; we can go to every church service and sing every Christian hymn; we can believe that deeds without faith has value; but Paul tells us differently. James reminds us that faith without deeds is dead. But I would also submit to you that deeds without faith is dead. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” That is a verse worth committing to memory.
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When it comes to our deeds, as believers in Christ, Paul reminds us that “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” For some of us, this might require a shift in attitude. We shouldn’t waste our time on things that don’t matter, even if they are veiled in a shroud of Christianity. Sure, many of our Christian practices have benefits, but what really counts is faith expressing itself through love. When we get to heaven, and all of our deeds are examined and filtered through the lens of God’s character, it is this that will float to the surface. Remember, in first Corinthians Chapter 13, Paul points out three vital attributes that God values; faith, hope and love. And in this verse in Galatians, two of those attributes are highlighted. I don’t know about you, but that tells me something.